Windows Phone 8 support ends in July 2014. It'll probably be replaced by then.

There was a spate of Windows Phone scaremongering over the weekend, after speculation that the platform would be discontinued in mid-2014. This came about after it was noticed that Microsoft had published Windows Phone's support life cycle, just as the company does with almost all its other software.

Per Microsoft: Windows Phone 7.8 is supported until September 9, 2014; Windows Phone 8 until July 8, 2014.

Technically, this means that there is a chance Microsoft will indeed abandon its smartphone platform and stop producing smartphone software in less than 18 months.

However, this is unlikely. As Microsoft emphasized on Twitter today, one of the rationales for moving Windows Phone onto the same NT core that desktop Windows uses is easier upgrading. A significant new version—a Windows Phone 8.5 or Windows Phone 9, say—would reset the support period and extend the window out another 18 months. Support periods aren't tied to operating system families; they're tied to specific versions. Each release of a new version creates a new support window.

In this way, Windows Phone will work much like Windows does. Windows XP's support ends in April 2014. That doesn't, however, mean that Microsoft is discontinuing Windows. It means Windows XP has been superseded. Its successors—Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8—are all supported beyond April 2014.

the real question is whether those updates which reset the support window will actually arrive on my handset. I realize that Windows Phone 7 was a stopgap product and the carriers might not have been keen on spending too much effort on it, but if that excremently poor update support continues with WP8 handsets, well, then, holy shit.

the real question is whether those updates which reset the support window will actually arrive on my handset. I realize that Windows Phone 7 was a stopgap product and the carriers might not have been keen on spending too much effort on it, but if that excremently poor update support continues with WP8 handsets, well, then, holy shit.

*This is my thinking. I could be way off base here*

I won't be surprise if Microsoft introduces paid upgrade for Major revisions......

This is pretty normal and typical, the only reason why I think this is getting as much attention as it has is because of how MS handled the transition from WP7 to WP8 last year.

Quite. I am still deeply irritated at their lack of transparency wrt the upgradeability to WP8 of my Lumia 800. They didn't say the WP7 mobiles wouldn't be upgraded until quite late into their lifecycle.

So now i'm using a Nexus. Which has its own irritations, but at least I can rely on a semi-Apple like upgrade path for a while.

I can't wait to need to make a phone call only to have the phone keep popping up a "There are 12 important updates" notification. And then have the update fail to leave me with a working phone. And then have System Restore fail as well.

It's more likely that there will be 8 important updates, so you install and reboot, and then there are 4 more updates, install and reboot. 10 minutes later, you can finally make that phone call. At least that's what Xbox has become.

That's how I saw this. By the time WP8 will hit its end of life, everyone will have upgraded to WP8.5/9.

Don't WP upgrades need carrier approval? Wrench, meet works!

The last real major update, WP7.5, got released almost across the board at the same time. The carriers will work with Microsoft on at least one major update no issue. It's all the little updates in between that time that get lost to carrier fucktardary.

Still waiting on the keyboard disappearing bug fix for my HTC TITAN from AT&T! Fuck you carrier! Not a single damn update since September 2011. Thankfully tools like seven eighter exist, which just push the bits onto the phone automatically.

WP7 suffered because CE basically required a custom compiled kernel per device, which meant handset operators and thus cell providers ended up being heavily involved in the update process. By contrast NT has much better module support with drivers less tied to the kernel build, allowing it to be updated much more easily by Microsoft alone, using the standard Windows Update mechanism.

WP7x is still getting good support. I just got 7.8 a couple of months ago, and from what I've heard that was a pretty smooth rollout across the board for WP7 devices. We also know that there is at least one more minor version number update planned (So a relatively major update along the lines of Mango and 7.8). I picked up my Venue Pro at the same itme my friend got his hands on his Galaxy S, and while I've been receiving updates fairly consistently he's had to root his phone to keep his up to date. Granted II think it's great that rooting the phone to install custom ROMs is even possible. I wish more phones were as open as the HD2.

Also, didn't they kick the carriers out of the loop for WP8? I was pretty sure that was the case.

Thank you, Peter. I was surprised to see the apocalyptic headline on other blogs over the weekend. You would think other tech journalists would have been able to apply just a little common sense before posting doom and gloom WP8 stories.

the real question is whether those updates which reset the support window will actually arrive on my handset. I realize that Windows Phone 7 was a stopgap product and the carriers might not have been keen on spending too much effort on it, but if that excremently poor update support continues with WP8 handsets, well, then, holy shit.

*This is my thinking. I could be way off base here*

I won't be surprise if Microsoft introduces paid upgrade for Major revisions......

Perhaps I'm not sufficiently cynical, but I would be surprised if Microsoft made WP8 users pay for version upgrades. They're trying to establish themselves in the market, and it behooves their best interests to keep all users (running sufficient hardware) on one, always modernized version. Better for developers, better for security, better for users.

Microsoft has made plenty of mistakes, and they're no angels. However, I would argue their behavior over the past year or two is decidedly more pro-customer than either Google or Apple. Especially in the mobile space.

I can't wait to need to make a phone call only to have the phone keep popping up a "There are 12 important updates" notification. And then have the update fail to leave me with a working phone. And then have System Restore fail as well.

It's more likely that there will be 8 important updates, so you install and reboot, and then there are 4 more updates, install and reboot. 10 minutes later, you can finally make that phone call. At least that's what Xbox has become.

i am guessing, you guys hardly use windows phone or xbox. you'd have have to use xbox less that once every 6 months to have to reboot every time. my windows phone has NEVER been updated (that is problem)

- "What if I am making a call and 14 updates come in?" Currently, phones must updates through the desktop apps. Now, if updating over the air, all you do is dismiss and go. Unless you are set on Windows to update automatically, you have full control over when an update installs.

- "Seems they should update before the end date." Notice the times on that. Supposedly Blue will be rolled out Q4 2013 or more likely Q1. Windows Phone 8 set to sunset support in June, with 7.8 hanging on until September. Anyone still sporting a Lumia 800 by Q4 2014 will either be just fine continuing on WP7.8 or will be ready for a new handset/contract.

I do think Microsoft fumbled the Apollo/WP8 news. Mango was not even out when it was known that MS was working on the replacement. THAT is the time that a clear update calendar should have been set out. Clearly, Microsoft has either learned a lesson or at least is appearing to be averse to the negative kickback on the 7.5 > 7.8 but not WP8 fiasco. They have clearly stated which OS will get updated (Windows Phone 8) and which will not (WP7.x). Unlike those who purchased Lumias, Titan IIs etc. Q1 2012, we all know that the present WP8 handsets will upgrade and that I will finally have to relinquish my Titan or remain on WP7.8.

As noted by others, this is exactly what MS is doing on XP, Vista, W7 and W8.

Funny now no one freaks out about Apple - but they don't go around supporting iOS 2.0, iOS 3.0, or really any older iOS either. You upgrade to the current OS to get support.

Older hardware? Well, just like Apple - your SOL. Go ahead and try to get support for your first gen iPhone. The best support you'll get is "why don't you buy a new iPhone?" which is just about the same thing anyone will tell you with a 6-year old smart phone.

But then, there are people who believed the world was going to end last December. So it is clear some people will believe anything crazy and bizarre.

Is Microsoft planning on charging for Windows updates to their phone/tablet platforms?

The thought never even crossed my mind until now, I'm so used to the iOS way, but Windows upgrades have traditionally been Microsoft's bread and butter...

I don't think that would be a smart move. They are already the underdog here. Who would want to pay for updates to Windows Phone when every other phone OS manufactuer gives theirs away for free? It certainly wouldn't help convince anyone I know to switch over.

I didn't like it when Apple charged for iPod Touch OS updates either even though I've bought boxed copies of Windows. I don't know. It just feels wrong on a handheld device IMO.

Funny now no one freaks out about Apple - but they don't go around supporting iOS 2.0, iOS 3.0, or really any older iOS either. You upgrade to the current OS to get support.

Older hardware? Well, just like Apple - your SOL. Go ahead and try to get support for your first gen iPhone. The best support you'll get is "why don't you buy a new iPhone?" which is just about the same thing anyone will tell you with a 6-year old smart phone.

But then, there are people who believed the world was going to end last December. So it is clear some people will believe anything crazy and bizarre.

Xcode 4.6.1 (which came out, literally last week) supports iOS 4.3, which came out three years ago.

Microsoft provides some level of PC operating support for 10 years. That is a much longer time than almost anybody keeps a PC. The support periods with phones seem to be much shorter. Does that mean the Microsoft expects phone lifetimes only to be a year or two? Or does it mean that Microsoft expects to charge people to upgrade their phone system software? I thought I understood from some of Peter's past articles that Windows Phone 7 can't be upgraded to the Windows 8 based system. How is an end to Windows Phone 7 support not an end of life statement for the phone or are they going to provide yet another dot version of Windows Phone 7. I guess another possibility is that they do expect users to make periodic free upgrades to a new dot version. That would be like PC service packs.As far as the future goes, Microsoft is pretty much certain to see this year out without terminating their phones. But, if this time next year roles around and they still have not managed to make a 10% market share, it could be time to worry. Even so, they will probably try to compete for a few years. But, if they don't start doing significantly better than they have been over the last two years, sooner or later they will be gone from the phone market the same way they are now gone from zune.

Funny now no one freaks out about Apple - but they don't go around supporting iOS 2.0, iOS 3.0, or really any older iOS either. You upgrade to the current OS to get support.

Older hardware? Well, just like Apple - your SOL. Go ahead and try to get support for your first gen iPhone. The best support you'll get is "why don't you buy a new iPhone?" which is just about the same thing anyone will tell you with a 6-year old smart phone.

But then, there are people who believed the world was going to end last December. So it is clear some people will believe anything crazy and bizarre.

Xcode 4.6.1 (which came out, literally last week) supports iOS 4.3, which came out three years ago.

You mean two years ago. And the Windows Phone SDK will still let you build apps for Windows Phone 7.5 which came out two years ago too.

I don't know how anyone thought that Microsoft would honestly end support for Windows Phone 8(as a whole) earlier than Windows Phone 7.8 either.

I remember Microsoft talking about how you could void your warranty and update your phone directly through Microsoft instead of through your carrier, and Microsoft would publish updates directly for 18 months after the phone OS launched. I can't find the link, but I know it hit the news a while back.

I remember Microsoft talking about how you could void your warranty and update your phone directly through Microsoft instead of through your carrier, and Microsoft would publish updates directly for 18 months after the phone OS launched. I can't find the link, but I know it hit the news a while back.

I remember Microsoft talking about how you could void your warranty and update your phone directly through Microsoft instead of through your carrier, and Microsoft would publish updates directly for 18 months after the phone OS launched. I can't find the link, but I know it hit the news a while back.

7.8 was not smooth. Only Lumias were consistently getting it before it was pulled due to major issues with it. They're apparently fixed and rolling up the updates again.

The carriers were not kicked out of the loop with WP8 unfortunately. For example, Verizon delayed the Portico update for several months.

Really? I had no such problems on my LG Quantum, update came out, I installed, poked at it for a bit and it went back to being my backup handset (the thing is just way too chunky to use).

Anyway, really glad to see Microsoft is taking a sensible upgrade path, it might be enough to make me switch back. With Apple's secretiveness, Google's crapshoot outside the nexus range and Blackberry taking forever to ship BB10, Microsoft could find itself a really decent selling point on the market. Windows 7/8 have been incredibly solid updates, they should be moving that over to the Xbox too (and anything else they make).

I hope they keep going, and that WP finds a profitable niche eventually. Certainly, I love my Lumia 900, and am enjoying 7.8 enough that I don't care about WP8. When I get a new phone, it'll be 8.5 or 9, I reckon.

Ms does need to get carriers and OEMs under control, though. Apple has shown you can do it, although I'm 90% sure carriers HATE Apple's way and would dump them if they could get away with it.

Funny now no one freaks out about Apple - but they don't go around supporting iOS 2.0, iOS 3.0, or really any older iOS either. You upgrade to the current OS to get support.

They do freak out. You missed the commotion when iPad 1 did not get an upgrade to iOS 6. (I'm a bit bitter about that myself, incidentally.)

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Older hardware? Well, just like Apple - your SOL. Go ahead and try to get support for your first gen iPhone. The best support you'll get is "why don't you buy a new iPhone?" which is just about the same thing anyone will tell you with a 6-year old smart phone.

Except we aren't talking about 6 year old phones. WP8 phone sold today will be only about 16 months old when WP8 support is terminated, and we have not been told whether current phones will be upgradable to the next version of WP.

Now, as you point out, Apple and Google do not tell you their support schedules either, but those companies have demonstrated over the past few years that, while they reserve the right to be assholes by arbitrarily cutting off support for iPhones or Nexuses, they aren't willing to use that privilege very often. (iPhone 3GS, for example, is still supported after nearly four years.) Microsoft, on the other hand, gleefully exercised the nuclear option WITH THE VERY FIRST CHANCE THEY HAD with WP7. Sure, it's irrational to cut off support like that with WP8->WP9 transition, but it was irrational the first time too, and that didn't stop Microsoft from doing it anyway. Who's to say they won't do it again? After all, Microsoft has zero track record of NOT cutting off WP support across versions.